Dear Editor,
I left politics three years ago and I am not associated with, or member of any political party. I also made a vow not to publicly discuss anything to which I was privy during my 6 years in politics, unless events forced me to do so. For this reason, I have remained silent on recent issues involving members of my former party the PNCR, even though there have been public calls for me to make some form of comment.
During the time I spent with the PNCR, I supported the duo of Robert Corbin and Winston Murray as the leaders of the party and continued to do so even when they were confronted with challenges by 3 different groups. My support included rallying support among party members, as well as among well-wishers in the wider Guyanese community. I have no regrets for my decisions then.
I am, however, very surprised at some recent positions taken by the leadership duo on a number of issues, particularly as it relates to ceaseless attacks against the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force and the Commissioner of Police. The most recent is the broadside levelled against Mr Henry Greene by Mr Corbin in which he stated at a press conference that he was not consulted on Mr Greene’s appointment, and had he been consulted, it would have provided the opportunity for clarifications, “so that any cloud hanging over anyone would have been cleared and put one in a better position to know whether one supports the appointee or not.” He also said that “there were certain concerns in the public mind” about Mr Greene.
I do not know if Mr Corbin was consulted or not; it is for the President and the PPP/C administration to answer those claims. But what I do know is that Mr Greene has been an outstanding acting Commissioner of Police. Along with his colleague Cmdr Gary Best of the Guyana Defence Force they have been able to forestall further criminal conduct that gripped this country and affected all Guyanese regardless of political affiliation or ethnic origin. From all appearances they received support from the government for which President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Minister Clement Rohee should be given full credit.
The PNCR could have gained tremendous public accolade had it been more forthcoming with its condemnation of the crime spree and unequivocal support of the efforts of the Joint Services. Instead it equivocated and now has gone really overboard by raising questions on the credibility of the newly appointed Commissioner of Police.
The reasons that Mr Corbin proffered for not mounting a challenge to the appointment of Mr Greene is not that that he did not contemplate doing so but as he says, “because looking at the time that the Commissioner has to retire it would be an exercise in futility.”
The argument that the appointment was unconstitutional, even if it contains any merit, must be juxtaposed against the spirit of the constitution as the supreme law of the land, that is, it is there to protect all citizens, and must not be a millstone on the necks of decision-makers or be used as an instrument to oppose for the sake of opposing. Any credible opposition, as well as government, must seek to support creative initiatives that help progress, engender confidence, make a society safer and bring peace and harmony. When political opposition leaders or government leaders no longer perform such functions they should do the honourable thing − retire, rather than become an embarrassment.
In closing, I wish all Guyanese a happy, peaceful productive 2009. I would like to congratulate Commissioner Henry Greene and wish him and all the hardworking police officers a successful 2009.
Yours faithfully,
Jerome Khan
At my age, memory is sometimes unreliable, but wasn’t it the exact same Mr. Corbin who had publicly stated that the President did NOT need to consult with him on the appointment of the C.O.P? I seem to recall that this statement was made at a time that Mr. Corbin was enquiring ablot the length of time that Mr. Greene had ben acting. Moderator would you please correct me if I am in error?
Moderator’s note: The Constitution requires consultation but not agreement. The disagreement lies in the type of consultation that was held.
Corbin had to oppose Greene because of the cloud that hangs over him, vis a vis the suspension of his US visa. The regime in Guyana use less solid evidence to bring people up on charges and incarcerate them for interminable periods. That they act differently when the evidence is against those that does its political bidding unconditionally, demonstrate the macabre reality of Government in Guyana today.
Suspension of Mr Green’s US visa is treated by some as a yard stick to measure the gentleman’s integrity. To date the US embassy hasn’t provided any evidence that link him to any drug dealings. And Mr Green continues to claim innocence. Who are we to believe, him or the embassy? Mr Feliks was the commissioner at the time when the accusation was made against Mr Green, and we all know the relationship between the two of them.
i WAS WONDERING WHERE WAS JROME ALL THIS TIME. NICE TO SEE A FORMER POLITICAN MAKING THESE FAIR COMMENT.SIR YOU SHOULD COME OUT MORE PUBLICALLY ON THE PNC AND THEY WRONGDOING AND UNFAIR CLAIMS.
Mr Corbin has a problem with the “dark clouds” that
Mr Greene is taking with him as the Commissioner of Police
Mr Khan.
Mr Corbin was referring to allegations made by the United
States Authorities that Henry Greene had benefitied
materially from the drugs trade Mr Khan.
It was on this basis that the United States revolked
Mr Greene diplomatic and visitors visa Mr Khan.
This is the same Jerome Khan who told us that when he
finish his law studies Mr Corbin will appoint him to the
National Assembly as an MP, But is seems as if thing did
not work in Jerome favor, How Sad.
Extracted: “But what I do know is that Mr Greene has been an outstanding acting Commissioner of Police. Along with his colleague Cmdr Gary Best of the Guyana Defence Force they have been able to forestall further criminal conduct that gripped this country and affected all Guyanese regardless of political affiliation or ethnic origin. From all appearances they received support from the government for which President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Minister Clement Rohee should be given full credit.”
This is another sign the PPP regime continues to deceive many Guyanese about crime fighting in Guyana. Jerome Kahn bit the bait and now he is hooked! I’m not saying gun-toting criminals were not harming society with their activities and needed to be stopped, but these criminals, alleged by the PPP to have links to the PNC, were allowed by the POLICE and ARMY for several years to get away with literal murder. It was only after government started handing out BOUNTY MONEY that the ARMY and POLICE started doing ther job.
Second, it seems as though Khan believes Commissioner Greene deserves his confirmation for wiping out the Fimans and Skinnys, but he says nothing about the Commissioners’ failure to deal with drug smugglers, gun runners, money launderers who are flourishing right under the Police’s nose! This scourge is just as dangerous to our society as armed gangs! Commissioner Greene should be called out on his failure in these areas and not be praised/confirmed for simply killing out armed criminals. Kahn needs to recalibrate and come again!
Jerome,is it of consequence to you the COP USA visa was suspended? What do you think would have been responsibile for that? Am I right that you are suggesting Corbin go? I am no Corbin fan but if you suggest he goes why are you asking for a COP to stay who broke all civil rules of engagement, USA visa taken away, and oversee the worst period in our history. What inform the selective reasoning.
He is up-set with Mr Corbin, he did not
made him an MP, you have to remember that
the AFC took 5 seats from the PNC, hold on
2011 is around the corner Jerome.
Andy most if the users are in the US what is Bush doing aaout that
a failed washed up politician.maybe he could go join the PPP where his heart really was and is.
Andy, your comments are on the ball.The atrocities allegedly committed by Fineman and others are not the only injustices suffered by the Guyanese people,and therefore the ARMED FORCES successes there cannot erased from our memories or their record their abuses of our fundamental rights by the PPP government,especially those perpetutated by units within ,both the Army,under CMDR Best watch ,and COP Greene’s.As much as we are all consumed in this crucible,we are also all involved,and both those agencies have the blood of innocents on their hands as they act at the behest of the PPP regime!
Mr Khan,name me one outstanding thing Mr Green did as the leader of the GPF.When you referred to the leader of the GDF as[ Cmdr ]Gary Best that says alot to those of us who knows more than the public would ever know. It’s all about politics Mr Khan and you know that.Keep the arm forces happy and the Gov lives on .
Jerome I am disappointed at you I expected better from you. Some of your statements seem unfair and not well thought through. I tend to agree with Corbin’s reason for saying that Green’s appointment was unconstitutional. Corbin has to be consulted.
You are asserting that both Cmdr Best and Comm Green were successful at ‘forestalling futher criminal activities’ because they got the support of Pres. Jagdeo and Min. Rohee. Couldn’t Eddy Collins have the same success if he was given the same support?
I am totally hurt by Green’s appointment. He definitely has some ‘grey areas’ in his tenure. Whats next Jerome?
Mark if Corbin really had objections to this appointment he had enough time to do something about it. I dont understand this lame duck statement about he woulda had time to consider it. The President will always do these things because he has no respect for Corbin and we will continue to suffer the consequense for being silent on Corbin’s performance.